Am I eligible?

Have you got what it takes to become a police community support officer?

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We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and ethnic groups. Our applicants are not limited to any particular age group - in fact, we encourage those who are looking for a career change. Unlike the requirements for regular police officers, there is no minimum age to apply

Basic guidelines for applicants

there are no minimum or maximum height requirements

there is no formal educational requirement, but you will have to pass written tests

only applications from British citizens, EC/EEA nationals, Commonwealth citizens, or foreign nationals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK will be accepted

a number of crimes will mean a definite or likely rejection of your application, including anyone who has received a formal caution in the last five years, committed a violent crime or public order offenceyou must be physically and mentally able to undertake police dutiesyou will need to complete a medical history questionnaire and undergo an eyesight test satisfactorily before your appointment can be confirmed

some tattoos (whether visible or not) and facial piercing might be unacceptable.

Do you qualify?

Not everybody is cut out to be a police community support officer (PCSO). Although PCSOs come from a wide variety of backgrounds, all share certain attributes. They must, for example:

be confident and level headed

have experience and confidence in dealing with difficult people and complex situations

be sensitive, but also thick-skinned

have good communication skills

work well as part of a team

have the stamina for long stretches on foot patrol

exhibit excellent communication skills

be patient in dealing with all types of people, some of whom may be drunk or hostile.

Take a look at the guide to becoming a PCSO for more information. And don't forget to check with your chosen force, as eligibility criteria can vary from force to force.